Portsmouth’s seafront will host a new outdoor exhibition this summer, with local artists Camille Bach and Stephanie Morgan taking over The Windbreaks display panels near Speakers’ Corner for the next four months.
An outdoor gallery linked to coastal works
The Windbreaks is a set of ten large-scale display panels installed as part of the Southsea Coastal Scheme, the council project that is both constructing new sea defences and enhancing approximately 4.5km of Southsea shoreline. The panels form an open-air gallery on the promenade and have been used since December 2024 to present rotating displays by local artists.
Contrasting approaches to the same coast
Organisers say the current pairing brings together two artists whose practices respond to the same maritime environment but in different ways. Camille Bach contributes expressive oil paintings that aim to capture the changing light and moods of seascapes and skies. Stephanie Morgan’s contribution comprises abstract pieces concentrating on the surface patterns created by wind, light and currents.
The council confirmed the two were chosen from an open call for local creatives to exhibit on The Windbreaks. They are the ninth and tenth artists to take part in the programme since it began.
“The Windbreaks has become a fantastic addition to Southsea seafront, giving local artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a unique outdoor gallery setting while creating something residents and visitors can enjoy all year round,”
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, added:
“Camille and Stephanie have both taken inspiration from the sea and coastal environment that makes Portsmouth such a special place, but they do so in very different ways. Together they have created an exhibition that reflects the beauty, movement and atmosphere of our shoreline.”
What visitors need to know
The outdoor format means the works are accessible to passers-by along the promenade and do not require an entry fee. The exhibition also forms part of a wider council effort to support the local arts sector by providing prominent, high-traffic display opportunities for artists from the city.
- Location: The Windbreaks panels, promenade near Speakers’ Corner, Southsea
- Artists: Camille Bach and Stephanie Morgan
- Duration: four months (from the council announcement date)
- Access: outdoor, free to view
| Artist | Style / Medium | Panel count |
|---|---|---|
| Camille Bach | Expressive oil seascapes | Multiple panels |
| Stephanie Morgan | Abstract works reflecting surface patterns | Multiple panels |
For further details on The Windbreaks programme and future artist opportunities, the council directs interested residents to Hotwalls Studios, which coordinates the initiative.
This presentation continues the council’s attempt to knit cultural activity into the broader coastal improvement scheme, offering an easily accessible way for locals and visitors to engage with contemporary artwork that draws from Portsmouth’s maritime character.
